News & Updates

HSA REPORT, OCTOBER 2014 With the Union of Psychiatric Nurses now merging with the BC Nurses' Union, HSA is now the only union advocating for RPN issues at talks dominated by registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. While the majority of HSA members' contracts have been negotiated and ratified, the contract for HSA's RPN members is still under negotiations at...

HSA REPORT, OCTOBER 2014 BY CAROL RIVIERE DR. Brian Day's attempt to use the courts to bring US-style, TWO-tier health care to Canada was scheduled to go to trial on September 8. At his request, and with the agreement of the provincial government, the court recently postponed the trial for six months to give these parties an opportunity to settle...

In the next few days, you'll receive an invitation to participate in a process that is crucial to the future success of your union. Are you ready to take part? As announced earlier this month, HSA has launched an inclusive and comprehensive planning process to create a five-year strategic plan. The plan will be presented to membership at HSA's Annual...

THE REPORT, OCTOBER 2014 BY LAURA BUSHEIKIN When Vancouver General Hospital Respiratory Therapist Ingrid Hakanson heard that a film crew would be coming into her workplace to make a documentary about the emergency ward, she had no idea she'd end up as a 'star' in a high-quality TV show that put health science professionals like herself at centre stage. "I...

THE REPORT, OCTOBER 2014 As a member of HSA, you're practicing smart investment strategies every day. Every two weeks, you invest in your future through your pension plan. You're not spending that money on another latte. You do not have all your eggs in one basket. In fact, you have a diversified real estate portfolio – and it's a great...

BY DAVID DURNING, HSA OHS OFFICER HSA’s Occupational Health and Safety Conference held in June provided a great opportunity for OHS activists to connect with each other, share information and plan for the future. Keynote speakers Dr. Joti Samra and Al Bieksa contributed significantly to a two-day event designed to provide tools, resources and planning opportunities for nearly 100 HSA...

HSA REPORT OCTOBER 2014 My name is Mike Pond. I'm five years sober this week and your union helped save my life. When I received my Masters in Social Work in 1995, I thought my days as a psychiatric nurse were behind me. But life has a way of throwing us curve balls. After two decades of successfully helping clients...

Stewards play a vital role in the union. Particularly important is the steward's role in contract interpretation, organizing and the grievance procedure. In recognition of the need for educating new stewards in these areas, HSA is offering a 3-day Basic Steward Training workshop at the HSA office this fall: Dates: November 3, 4 and 5 Location: HSA Office, 300 –...

HSA President Val Avery at announcement with BC Federation of Labour President Jim Sinclair and BCGEU President Stephanie Smith Health Sciences Association of BC has committed a $170,000 interest-free loan to the BC Teachers’ Federation to support teachers on strike for a better public education system for BC’s children. The loan is part of the $8 million pledged by BC’s...

BC public sector unions are sending a message to the Premier that they stand in solidarity with BC teachers and are urging her to accept the proposal for binding arbitration. “The Premier is attempting to use other settlements in the public sector to create a divide among workers in the province,” said Jim Sinclair, President of the B.C. Federation of...